Okie Dokie, So to kinda start anew In creating this thread for pictures & updates from my prospecting adventures around Colorado. So to start out the other day CP Member Nate & I went out on an adventure east of Rampart Range; We had a few target areas in mind we wanted to check out but mostly were exploring & doing some prospecting on the way.
(Disclaimer; only saying it once; I always make sure to do my homework beforehand and make sure the area i'm exploring is public land & not under mining claim. To newer members, please always do your homework, know where people have staked claims in the area you want to explore, and respect their claims & mineral rights! Don't Claim Jump!!!! End PSA)
Anyhow we headed out and came across a fair amount of offroaders & an all jeep group; led by a FJ Cruiser... But we found the first area we were looking for after not too long (not to brag but my lil prospecting Subaru did great) Shortly after a bit of hiking we came across some quartz fragments floating on the topsoil so we did some digging. I didn't find anything below the soil but Nate found a few fragments of Smokies with faces. I ended up wandering down the hill a little bit and cam across the tailings of a pretty big quartz operation where I found a large chunk of quartz with a smooth face on one side (if it was intact & crystalline it would have been at least 24in in diameter! But sadly couldn't find any intact crystals; mostly all chunky. We did discover a massive quartz vein in the side of the hill which we assume they were searching for gold but seem to have abandoned. After a bit more exploring we came across a giant open pit mine with water below that most likely;y exceeded 20'+ deep, but had a brilliant turquoise color. Nearby we also discovered wooden remnants of... an ore chute or mining cabin perhaps? from the nails I don't think it was older then the 1930's or 40's. Anyhow here's the pictures! And thanks Nate for joining me on a fun adventure! And my last great adventure as seen on my previous thread was with Crusty. Both awesome, highly skilled & intelligent Prospectors & friends! If you want to join me on an adventure, drop me a PM!